Huawei brings 4 initiatives to boost Bangladesh’s ICT growth

Chinese tech giant Huawei, in partnership with Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) and Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA), is going to launch four programmes to accelerate the growth of the ICT industry and to facilitate ICT talents in Bangladesh.

In this regard, the three parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the BCC Auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka on Thursday, reads a press release.

The core purpose of the MoU is to initiate four programmes — Bangladesh ICT Competition 2020, ICT Joint Innovation Center, Huawei ICT Academy, and Curating Bangladeshi Startups.

Of the projects, BCC will be working together with Huawei on the Bangladesh ICT Competition 2020, ICT Joint Innovation Center, and the Curating Bangladeshi Startups. Huawei ICT Academy will be conducted by BHTPA and Huawei.

The responsible parties will be managing these projects for at least three years from the days of inauguration.

State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak was present as the chief guest at the event, which was chaired by Md Rezaul Karim, director general of the Digital Security Agency and director of the LICT Project.

“All of our initiatives and projects are focusing on youth, ICT and employment,” said Palak, adding that this agreement will be able to provide proper training to the young students, researchers, and innovators at the university level.

“Secondly, we are going to set up a permanent academy at CUET [Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology] and KUET [Khulna University of Engineering and Technology].

“This will help teachers and students connect with firms like Huawei,” said the minister, adding: “We are really grateful to Huawei Technologies for their contribution to building a Digital Bangladesh.”

Zhang Zhengjun, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh) Limited, inaugurated the event with a welcome speech.

“Digital infrastructure is the basis for any industry and economy in the modern age. Hence, to adapt to this new, intelligent world and boost the nation's growth, it has become critical for the youth to enhance their skills and become experts in the ICT field,” he said.

“Our programmes will motivate the youth of Bangladesh to excel in the ICT field, which will ultimately help Bangladesh fulfil the vision of Digital Bangladesh,” concluded the Huawei’s Bangladesh head. 

Among others, Hosne Ara Begum, managing director (secretary) of BHTPA, NM Zeaul Alam, senior secretary of the ICT Division, and Parthapratim Deb, executive director of the Bangladesh Computer Council, also spoke at the event.